Various research within the last three years show that an increasing percentage of consumers do an online search about products and services before deciding whether they’ll make a purchase or not. This percentage is significantly high, ranging from 80% to 94% of shoppers. Businesses can no longer ignore their online presence and must start to put Google search into good use.

Take control of what consumers see about your businesses on the Internet. Optimizing your online presence begins with having a business website that provides sufficient details about your products and services, and don’t forget to include contact information. While you’re at it, you might as well make your website mobile-friendly. Up next on your to-do list is, of course, SEO.

Once you’ve got the basics in place, your business will have better online search visibility. Then you should pay attention to making sure customers read good stuff about your business. Here are some tips:

1. Monitor people’s comments and feedback

In addition to social media, there are now countless online platforms where people express how happy or dissatisfied they are with a brand. Some of these sites have heavy traffic, which can influence a lot of people’s opinion about your business.

Make sure you’re aware of what people are saying about you. You can start by identifying the five most common platforms customers use for comments and feedback and monitor these on a regular basis. You don’t always have to respond to their posts -- and especially refrain from engaging with them in an argument. Instead, find out if your customers are having issues that need to be addressed and take note of suggestions that can help improve your products and services. You can also use these platforms to connect with consumers and thank them for positive feedback.

2. Show genuine concern

In line with connecting with your customers online, showing them your genuine intention to help will do well for your online reputation. More people will be encouraged to connect with your business if they can see that you care. It also gives your customers a reason to be loyal to your brand. If they feel taken care of, then that increases their attachment to your brand and the likelihood that they’ll purchase from you the second, third and fourth time -- or whenever they need to or want to.

3. Become an industry expert

Establish yourself and your business as a reliable source in your industry. Share your insights and expertise on your own blog and make connections with other blogs that are writing about your industry for guest posts. People will get to know you and your business better, and it will encourage the market to trust your brand.

4. Get media coverage

Having a trusted source say good stuff about your business makes the market more comfortable with using or purchasing your products. Build your media connections by reaching out to them with great stories about your business that they can feature. You will see spikes in your sales shortly after the news comes out online.

5. Produce share-worthy content

Post a video, article or picture that can inspire or help your customers. Without a doubt, many will want to share interesting content on their own social media accounts and this will help spread the word about your business. In addition to giving your brand some exposure, people will also start associating your brand with how your content makes them feel. If your content inspires them, then they will relate your brand with that positive feeling.

Giving your online reputation a boost can be a time-consuming task and it requires certain expertise. Make sure to get all the help you need by hiring freelance PR, online marketing and social media experts on Freelancer.com. Freelance professionals can produce content, monitor social media sites and even build your media connections to give your brand great exposure online. Post a project here and get the help that you need from a freelance pro.